The mailman nodded appreciatively as his eyes settled on the big map hanging above Heather’s desk. “That’s weird,” said the postman.

“What’s weird,” said Daryl as he signed his letters.

“That big map up there with the red marks looks just like my old postal route,” he said.

Daryl looked over at Heather who was already looking up at the mailman.

“What did you just say?” said Daryl.

“That’s my old mail route you have circled there on the map,” said the mailman, pointing and moving closer. “I used to deliver from 96th to 104th between Central Park West and Amsterdam. That’s what you’ve got outlined on your map, isn’t it?”

“Wait a second,” said Heather standing up, “you’re saying that’s your exact mail route?”

“My old one. Got a way sweeter route now. I cover 42nd to 55th between Eighth and Ninth,” said the mailman. “A lot less mail to deliver. That old route took forever and everyone was so particular about everything.”

On their feet, the two detectives faced the mailman. “When did you leave that route?” asked Daryl.

“A few years ago,” said the mailman, backing up as the detectives invaded his personal space. “I put in for a different territory over on the east side when someone over there retired. I worked the east side for a couple of years and then someone died, so I put in for the route I have now. Most people don’t know this but when you have a good mail route, you never give it up… unless you die. The only time the good routes come available is when somebody bites the big one. The longer you stay at USPS, the better your routes get, if you don’t keel over first.”

“Do you know if the same person who took over your old West Side route is still there?” asked Heather.

“No clue,” said the mailman shaking his head. “People at the postal service move around a lot and besides, I check in at a different sorting facility now. It could be someone new, or not.”

“Thank you,” said Daryl to the mailman who was enjoying being the center of attention. “Thank you very much.”

“If he’s right,” said Heather, “this takes going postal to a whole new level.”

Minutes later, the two detectives assembled the entire West Side Strangler team in the war room. With the other precincts on the task force on speakerphone, they briefed everyone on what they had just learned.

“This may be a total boondoggle but it’s the first goddamn time that map has any meaningful context,” said Daryl. “Detective Kim and I think it’s extremely possible our perp is a mail carrier. It makes total sense. A mailman knows who lives in a building, who lives alone, when they come, when they go, what they buy, when they’re on vacation.”